Farmers of India, Bangladesh clash in Tripura district; two locals injured

Guwahati: Tension prevailed in Tripura’s Unakoti district on Monday following a clash between the farmers of India and Bangladesh.

Officials said clashes broke out over farming in the border village of Hirachhara in Kailashahar sub-division. Two Indian farmers and a Bangladeshi cultivator were injured in the clashes before BSF troops intervened.

Locals said Indian farmers Karim Ali (28) and Zamir Ali (34) were severely assaulted with sharp weapons and iron rods by a group of 10-12 Bangladeshis. Both are undergoing treatment in Unakoti district hospital.

Ali brothers, who cultivate betel leaves and paddy on their land near the zero line of the border, had gone for farming activities on Sunday and found significant damage to their crops. Consequently, they informed the BSF personnel about it. However, while returning home in the evening, they were threatened not to go to the area again for cultivation and then attacked by Bangladeshi nationals from the Murui Chhara area of Moulvibazar district.

The attack took place inside Indian territory.